He went 0-3 against the Tigers with Chavis as their defensive coordinator. The Aggies had more turnovers (9) than touchdowns (5) in those three defeats.

So if you can't beat Chavis, hire him.

"That's exactly what I did," said a smiling Sumlin on Tuesday morning at SEC Media Days. "There's really nothing more to that answer than that. That is true."

Chavis has brought more than just decades of experience to A&M. He's brought additional attention with his lawsuit against his former employer. Chavis said he doesn't owe the university a $400,000 buyout because his contract allowed him to end his agreement without cause if he gave a 30-day notice.

Sumlin said the lawsuit hasn't been a distraction to him and let it be known he didn't call Chavis before LSU played Notre Dame in the Music City Bowl. He's more focused on Chavis giving A&M the defense it needs to seriously contend for a SEC title.

"His knowledge of opponents, his knowledge of the league helps me as a head coach, but it also helps our team build confidence right away to a defense that really needed it," Sumlin said.

Texas A&M junior offensive tackle Germain Ifedi remembers Chavis always having a counter for the Aggies even when the unpredictable Johnny Manziel was leading their offense.

So Ifedi is very happy Chavis is now on their side.

"He's seen it all so he knows how to stop everything that we were doing," Ifedi said. "So to be able to get that asset on our team, I'm appreciative that we don't have to keep going up against him. They weren't doing anything other worldly or complicated. He just knew where to have his guys at the right place and at the right time. That's a rare commodity for any defensive coordinator."

Chavis will also have the luxury of inheriting one of the nation's best pass rushers in sophomore Myles Garrett. Last season, Garrett broke the SEC record for most sacks by a freshman held by Jadeveon Clowney by posting 11.

Playing for Chavis should make Garrett even more formidable in 2015.

"Becoming more of a football player than just a raw talent is going to be (key for Garrett)," senior defensive lineman Julien Obioha said. "That's going to be it, but playing for Chavis is definitely going to help him."

Chavis has set a tone that has raised the level of expectations for the A&M defense.

"The first day he came in, he was like, 'we're here to win championships,'" Obioha said. "'We're not here to do anything else.'"